Chapter 14: Consequences

Gale's heart ached at the sight of Mia collapsing into Emily's arms. His body lunged forward, but he stopped himself. He was a distance away from her, and that distance was killing him.

He looked around and saw the other suitors. Arthur Golden was quite a sight. He was moaning and groaning like he had lost his senses. He was then taken away by his servants.

There was a Jamie and a George and a Teddy that basically looked like ghosts themselves and were also taken away. He supposed that they would not be entertaining the thought of pursuing The Queen anymore.

Gale was half relieved that his competition was now lesser, yet he was upset about what these gutless men going to say about Mia. Now, Mia's secret had been let out in the open. It was a secret that he thought only he knew.

More than a decade ago, when the pandemic hit the Land of Pradzia, and the boys and men in the land were dying away, he saw how she had erupted into flames in her fury.

Her younger brother had succumbed to the pandemic and lying lifeless in her arms. She screamed and screamed and burst into a ball of flames. She was only a child then and had no means to control her innate powers. The fire within her burned her clothes, and then spread like wildfire.

Nobody knew why and how she caught the fire. No water could douse it, no ice could cool it. Only when her tears dried up, and she was so tired that she fell asleep, did the fire die out.

"Queen Mia is very special," a boy standing next to him said.

There was no fear in his eyes, but admiration and wonder.

"Hi, I am Russell." The boy turned and looked at Gale.

"Prince of Ivory, it is my pleasure to meet you." Gale replied.

"Looks like we have less competition now," the boy smiled. His white hair seemed like a crown of wisdom.

Gale laughed. It seemed silly that the boy would consider himself a eligible suitor for the Queen's heart; he was just a child. Sure, he could grow up but how would he able to understand the affections of the heart now?

"Do you think Queen Mia will be okay?" Russell White whispered. Gale patted his white hair, and replied, "Yes, she will."